Partner, Intellectual Property

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP•Rochester, NY

4d•$200,000 - $700,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP is a leading and reputable full-service law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Rochester, NY, with additional offices in Albany and Buffalo, NY. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. We encourage open communication, teamwork, and professional growth. Our firm promotes a healthy balance between work and personal life and supports the wellbeing of our employees. We are seeking an experienced Intellectual Property Partner to provide senior leadership and depth across our Intellectual Property Practice Group. This is a broad, patent anchored role spanning U.S. and foreign patent procurement, opinion and counseling work, intellectual property licensing and cross border transactions, and patent and trademark litigation. The practice serves clients in technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and food and beverage, with particular depth in industrial, manufacturing, and mechanical technologies. The ideal candidate is a registered U.S. patent attorney with a strong technical background and the judgment to lead matters, develop a team, and grow the practice independently.

Requirements

Juris Doctor and admission to the New York State Bar.
USPTO registration.
Engineering or hard science degree, ideally mechanical or industrial.
10+ years across patent prosecution, transactions, and litigation.
Admission, or eligibility, to the relevant federal courts and the Federal Circuit.
A proven leader with strong client relationships, team development, and practice growth.
Excellent communication and collaboration across practice areas.
An entrepreneurial mindset and proactive client development.

Responsibilities

Lead U.S. and foreign patent prosecution and portfolio strategy in mechanical and industrial technologies.
Conduct infringement, validity, freedom to operate, and patentability analysis.
Advise on competitive surveillance and global IP strategy, including forecasting and budgeting.
Negotiate IP licensing and complex cross border transactions covering patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights.
Counsel on trademark protection and enforcement within an integrated IP strategy.
Handle patent and trademark litigation in federal court, the TTAB, and the Federal Circuit.
Lead IP due diligence in mergers, acquisitions, and financings.
Develop client relationships and support practice growth.
Supervise and mentor associates, patent agents, and paralegals.
Stay current through CLE and IP bar involvement such as the AIPLA.